THE Education Ministry is investigating a volleyball coach for slapping two of his young players, minister Fadhlina Sidek said today.

The coach had been in the news in recent days after a video clip of him slapping two of his chargees went viral.

He had allegedly punished them after their team failed to qualify for the finals of an under-14 girls volleyball tournament. He has since apologised for his actions.

But Fadhlina said her ministry was not done with the issue.

She said ministry officials had met with parents of the students who were physically abused by the coach and also other stakeholders to get feedback on the case.

“We are looking at the bigger picture. I know no police reports was lodged but that does not mean this is it.

“We are investigating the matter. We have our own department to deal with this,” she told reporters after her visit to SMK Jalan Kebun in Section 32, Shah Alam on the first day of the school session today.

She added that the two teenage players were given counselling through the Malacca Education Department.

The department officials had also met parents of the affected students and reassured them that the ministry would not compromise on matters relating to violence against students.

So far no decision has been made by the ministry on the fate of the coach.

Meanwhile, Malacca youth development, sports and non governmental organisations committee chairman V.P. Shanmugam was reported as saying that the coach was specially appointed by the Malacca Volleyball Association for the tournament.

The Malaysia Volleyball Association has also announced that the coach had been suspended. – January 3, 2023.